Converting Lawn to Meadow

Turf grass isn't the only option for filling our yards. This article offers alternatives to conventional lawns, such as meadow and low-growing groundcovers, and lists native species that grow well in Pennsylvania.

This is a case study of the conversion of 42 acres of the Black Rock Santcuary in Chester County into a native warm season grass meadow. It includes a step-by-step guide that Chester County Parks and Recreation used to transform the area from a silt repository into the meadow.

Converting areas covered by turf grass to meadows can be financially rewarding and relatively simple on both public and private land. It can also deliver substantial environmental and aesthetic benefits. WeConservePA guide. 5 pages.

A guide for local government leaders, homeowners' associations, and others who want to promote the expansion of wildlife-friendly habitats in their communities. It provides case studies of cities that revised their property maintenance ordinances to incentivize homeowners and other landowners to transform their land into wildlife habitats. This guide also provides model ordinances and policies. Lead author: Samantha R. Miller.

This publication details the basics of what is required to create and maintain a native grass and wildflower meadow in southeastern Pennsylvania.

As homeowners become aware of the costs of maintaning lawns, both to people and to wildlife, many are choosing to replace all or part of their lawns with alternatives that are more friendly to wildlife and the environment.

Converting part of your yard to meadow can save you time and money--think about less frequent mowing. And meadows help filter our groundwater, control flooding, add visual appeal, and provide critical habitat for sonbirds and pollinators.

This guide is intended to provide municipal officials and interested local residents with a primer on residential agricultural land uses and how best to manage them. Residential agriculture, as defined by this guide, is any non-commercial small-scale farming for personal consumption that takes place on private residential property. The Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC) has noticed a local trend toward more diverse private residential land uses such as keeping bee hives and chicken coops. These uses carry with them concerns for public health and general well-being. However, when properly managed they can be beneficial to both the resident and community as a whole. There are many myths surrounding these uses, and this guide explains both the benefits and potential drawbacks of these practices.